Vessel

Oil Queen (Gillespie tanker barge, 1971)

Also Oil Queen

Draft — sources verified, prose evolving

TypeVessel
ErasModern era
On this page
Vessel
Eras
Modern era
Concepts
maritimeshippingeconomycommunity

Summary

The Oil Queen was a 28,000-gallon tanker barge purchased by Gillespie’s Sales and Service for bulk fuel handling, according to June 1971 reporting. A July 1973 account records the loaded barge capsizing during a tow and being emptied and righted near Beaver Island.

Evidence and limits

The sources do not provide the barge’s registry, dimensions, construction date, official owner record, or a complete cargo manifest. The July report establishes the righting operation and only says that a few gallons spilled.

See also

Sources

  1. Beaver Beacon, June 1971, “Island Based Fuel Supply.”
    Calls Oil Queen a 28,000-gallon tanker barge purchased by Gillespie’s Sales and Service for bulk fuel operations; it gives no dimensions, registry, build date, or formal ownership record.
  2. Beaver Beacon, July 1973, “Disaster Averted.”
    Reports the fully loaded barge capsizing while towed between Charlevoix and St. James, its fuel transfer into storage tanks, and its later righting; it gives no registry or cargo manifest beyond the 28,000-gallon June description.